Although he never held an official political title, Ayatullah Ruhullah Khomeini ruled Iran with an iron fist from the moment he set foot on Iranian soil on Feb. 1, 1979, after 14 years in exile.

Khomeini's Long Shadow: 30 Years After the Iran Hostage Crisis

A look back at the tumultuous events of February 1979, when the charismatic religious leader returned to Iran and single-handedly reshaped the history of the Middle East — and the world.

From TIME's Archives: On the Plane Back with Khomeini

Email

Around the Web

Oklahoma Tornado Aftermath Leaves Trail Of Destruction In Moore (PHOTOS, LIVE UPDATES) From THE HUFFINGTON POST
'Fat' Abercrombie Ads Are A Brilliant Response To CEO Mike Jeffries (PHOTOS) From THE HUFFINGTON POST
Slatest PM: U.S. Admits To Killing 4 Americans in Drone Strikes From SLATE
London Terror Suspect, Bloody and Holding a Cleaver, Talks to the Camera From SLATE

More Photos

Tornado Flattens Suburb Outside Oklahoma City, Kills Dozens

David Beckham Announces Retirement

Syria's Slow-Motion Civil War

Angelina Jolie: Actress-turned-Activist

Barbara Walters: Career in Pictures

The 2013 TIME 100

Person of the Year 2012: Barack Obama

TIME's 2012 Top 10 Everything in Arts & Entertainment

The Best Inventions of the Year 2012